16 Facts About James Wickersham

James Wickersham was a district judge for Alaska, appointed by US President William McKinley to the Third Judicial District in 1900.

James Wickersham resigned his post in 1908 and was elected as Alaska's delegate to Congress, serving until 1917 and then being re-elected in 1930.

James Wickersham was instrumental in the passage of the Organic Act of 1912, which granted Alaska territorial status.

James Wickersham introduced the Alaska Railroad Bill, legislation to establish McKinley Park, and the first Alaska Statehood Bill in 1916.

James Wickersham was among those responsible for the creation of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, which later became the University of Alaska.

James Wickersham was a member of the Tacoma Academy of Science and was President of that organization in 1893.

When Wickersham set off for Alaska he was allegedly dodging a government posting in Japan, and he told anyone who asked that he preferred the Eagle post, saying he "yearned for the Yukon, not Yokohama".

James Wickersham was tasked with "cleaning up" the legal system after the Nome Gold Conspiracy which involved prominent Republican National Committee member Alexander McKenzie, and Judge Noyes.

James Wickersham's start into Alaskan official law involved litigation of that reflected the Alaskan frontier spirit.

James Wickersham appointed a deputy to retrieve the stolen animal and waited with the chief for his return, chatting about everyday problems.

Personal opinions and ever changing allegiances aside, as far as the future of Fairbanks went, Barnette could always count on James Wickersham to have his back as what Barnette wanted usually was what was best for Fairbanks.

James Wickersham successfully ran for congressional delegate for the District of Alaska in 1908, beginning his term in 1909.

When James Wickersham became the Delegate for Alaska, he vowed to relinquish the Alaska Syndicate's hold on copper and transportation.

James Wickersham chose not to run in the June 1919 special to fill the seat, but after it was over, he contested the 1918 election on the grounds of numerous election irregularities such as ballots that should have been counted and unqualified voters.

James Wickersham again won his contest, this time by 37 votes, although the case took so long that he only served for 4 days before the term ended.

James Wickersham's dilemma began this mindset of federal dependence because he saw that as a better alternative than having private interests and "Robber-Barons" ruling over Alaska's resources.